ギリギリ (Girigiri): When things are just a hair's breadth from failure 😱

Surely, we've all had those 'heart-stopping' moments:

• 🏃‍♀️ Running for your life and jumping onto the train just as the doors are closing.
• ⏰ Submitting a report to your boss right as the clock strikes 5 PM.
• 📝 Finishing a test and putting your pen down just as the bell rings.

In situations like these, when success and failure are separated by a single hair, the Japanese use a super valuable word: 「ギリギリ」.

What is 「ギリギリ」?

ギリギリ is an onomatopoeia (擬音語 - giongo) that describes a state of being just enough, at the last minute, by a narrow margin, just in time. It doesn't just mean "on time"; it also implies the tension and anxiety beforehand and the sigh of relief right after.

In other words, when you use ギリギリ, you're implicitly saying: "That was almost a disaster!" 😥 → "Phew, made it just in time!"😮‍💨

Super practical usage

ギリギリ can be used for many things, from time and scores to money.

1. Regarding time (most common)

Instead of just saying「間に合った」(maniatta - made it in time), adding ギリギリ clearly expresses the drama.

Example: You woke up late this morning.

Friend: 「今日の会議、間に合った？」(Did you make it to the meeting today?)

You (panting): 「うん、ギリギリだったよ。危なかった〜！」(Yeah, it was down to the wire. That was close!)

2. Regarding scores, results

When you pass an exam or a test with the bare minimum score to pass.

Example:

「今回はマジで勉強してなかったから、ギリギリで合格できてよかった。」(I really didn't study this time, so I'm glad I managed to pass by the skin of my teeth.)

3. Regarding limits, capacity

When you do something right up to the very last limit.

Example:

「今日のライブ、当日券で入れたけど、僕が最後の１人だった。ギリギリセーフ！」(I got into the concert today with a same-day ticket, but I was the very last person. Just barely safe!)

Quick Distinction

• 間に合った (Maniatta): Made it in time (in a normal way, maybe with time to spare).
• ギリギリで間に合った (Girigiri de maniatta): Made it in the nick of time (emphasizing the struggle, the luck).

ギリギリ is an incredibly vivid word that helps you express your feelings much more genuinely. Next time you escape a 'hair-raising' situation, remember ギリギリ! 😉